Outdoor Encroachment Agreement Guidance

The City of Watsonville is allowing restaurants and retail businesses to use outdoor areas for dining and display areas with approval of a Temporary COVID-19 Outdoor Activities and Encroachment Self Certification Agreement. 

City Manager Matt Huffaker signed Emergency Order 2020-01 on Friday, June 5, 2020, and ratified by City Council per Resolution 105-20 on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, allowing restaurants and retail businesses to use outdoor areas for dining and display areas with approval of a Temporary COVID-19 Outdoor Activities and Encroachment Self Certification Agreement. These Agreements are processed through the Community Development Department at no charge. The Outdoor Activities and Encroachment Self Certification Agreements are allowed up to one year after. 

Application Requirements

Below is a list of applications and standards: 

Applicants, in addition to the information listed in the City of Watsonville’s Temporary Outdoor Dining and Activities Guidance, are required to submit a scaled site plan (11" by 17") with the following information. An example site plan with additional information is attached below:  

  • Location of tables or staging area for outdoor dining or retail sales 
  • Location of any tents/booths, if proposed, to accommodate the use (permits may be required) 
  • Location of any cooking or electrical equipment, if proposed outside 
  • Location of any outdoor heating appliances (e.g., propane, electric) 
  • Indicate compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements 

Supplemental Documentation

The following supplemental documentation may be required depending on the use being established outdoors:  

  • Santa Cruz County Department of Environmental Health Inspection. Review and approval may be required by the Santa Cruz County Department of Environmental Health prior to permit issuance. Please provide information in your application indicating if any cooking or food preparation will be occurring outdoors. 
  • Restaurants. If you are requesting outdoor operations for a restaurant, you will be required to follow the State of California Industry Guidance for Restaurants Providing Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Drive-Through and Delivery (last updated November 24, 2020) in addition to guidance from the Santa Cruz County Department of Environmental Health.  
  • Restaurant with Alcohol Sales.  If your restaurant has alcohol sales, you will be required to obtain a temporary catering authorization from the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC-218 Form) prior to approval of a Temporary Outdoor Activities COVID-19 Encroachment Agreement.  
  • Personal Services - Barbering and Cosmetology. If you are requesting to conduct barbering and salon services outdoors, you will be required to follow the State of California COVID Industry Guidance for Hair Salons and Barbers. 
  • Checklist for Hair Salons and Barbers (last updated October 20, 2020) 
  • Personal Services Expanded. If you are requesting to conduct personal services outdoors, you will be required to follow the State of California COVID Industry Guidance for Personal Services. Checklist for Personal Services (last updated October 20, 2020).
  • Guidance from Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology created guidelines to help licensees understand where and how to access information on reopening their establishments during this unprecedented time. Please be advised that while the Board can provide resources for licensees to comply with public health orders and county orders, the Board does not have the authority to modify or answer questions about these guidelines.

Processing Applications and Ongoing Operations

After an application is deemed complete by a Planner or Engineer, the application will be routed to other divisions for further review. Applications will be approved within 5 working days.   

Please contact the Community Development Department at 831-768-3050 or cdd@cityofwatsonville.org either to submit an Encroachment Agreement application or for more information.

Copies of Outdoor Activities and Encroachment Permit and applicable Industry Guidance and Checklists must be readily available to the public at the business location.